How talented to be considered talented?

[hello99]

Ok so I used to be the rebellious kid from the age of 7. I started playing piano being forced to, and quit when I was around 10. I took lessons which were never serious, played around with the watered down version of fur elise and symphony no 5 from beethoven (at least what I can recall) I loathed the piano and once my parents couldn't force me anymore to practice, I finally quited.

Only around last year May when I restarted piano after having found some nice pop piano songs. Then slowly my interest grew (or rather exploded vigorously), I started moving into anime piano solos, game music and finally classical. (chopin actually brought me in), in a short time of one year I became a classical convert. Now my entire playlist is classical music

Along with my abrupt interest, I started invested about 1 hour of daily time to the piano, found a teacher and initially agreed to take grade 4 examination this year. (because I actually had some background and I started knowing the really fundamentals of music). Initially, that was the plan but my progress was faster than expected. Right now I am preparing for grade 6 and the pieces are comfortable. My teacher and other musicians around me would safely evaluate me as grade 7 at worst and 8+ at best.

So that was what happened in one year. Of course late 2007 I broke up with my girl and  piano was my main source to keep myself busy. I started playing around 2 hours everyday slowly moving up to 4-5 hours of practice right now (and around 6 for weekends when school examinations are not near). [probably that explains how I improve so fast]. It feels like I am riding the peak of the learning curve.

I know what I am about to say next is very inflammable. I am currently studying chopin etudes with my teacher. I'm playing 10-1 with guidance (though I was told not to expect much and play it not even close to any recordings), 10-3 10-4,10-12,25-6 by myself. (though some are really just purely for technique). [note:i do not wish to turn this into an etude thread]. I will not be able to play anything up to concert level but I think playing decently should be fine.

I was thinking of taking ATCL's diploma one year from now. My progress has been steep and I could actually imagine half the repertoire in ATCL to be learn-able if I put in the effort.

My parents, teachers and friends (whom are piano students too), are all rather surprised with my progress. I was told from young that I was talented (but no one ever said it's extent). Sometimes when I look back where I was 1 year ago, I feel extremely astonished, the me who was struggling in playing pop music (and reading notes) now attempting etudes.

Of course I did put in the effort (in fact a lot right now).

How much can I expect from myself? I find myself satisfied with immense progress yet also greedy in way and craving for more, to get better and better. Music (specifically) the piano has been a big thing in my life right now.

[hyrst]

Just keep riding the learning wave.  Soak in as much as you can while you have the motivation.  Enjoy your achievements.  Enjoy and appreciate how lucky you are that you have got this far with so much less work than some people.  Gifts are a privilege and a responsiblity.

[nyonyo]

You never know...You can be an unpolished gem.
Keep taking piano lesson and try to compete, if you can win, it means your playing is really something. If after 3 years, you still have not win anything, it means you are just normal human being who can piano well, but not exceptional.

[healdie]

I am similer in some ways i only started playing about 1 year ago but i can play pieces that are grade 6 in their diffiulty, but like you i too crave to be better and currently practicing 5 hours a day, i do not see this as greedy though i see it as determination to be considered good even great, i hope to have done my grade 8 in another year so i can go to university, but i have a very obsesive personality and am very determined t do well, and this is probably part of how i advanced so quick, i also have a very unusual learning urve even from infant school i could do the advanced mathmatics but struggled with the simple stuff, people are often telling me that i am talented, but i don't believe i m good enough yet.